"I would imagine that if the companies want these two individuals to remain quiet, they’ll probably purchase their silence just like so many other women’s silence has been purchased," Heller says.

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He said that in this type of "negotiated departure," "both sides get what they want."

For NBC, that might mean Lauer's silence and putting this scandal to rest as quickly as possible. For Lauer, it could mean a sum that will keep him comfortable for some time.

"This is what you know: he left early without complaining," Estreicher says of Lauer. "He’s going to be badly hurt for a couple of years. Maybe he can rebuild his reputation, but for a couple of years he’s going to expect to be compensated."

That compensation, Estreicher says, could be "about one year's salary—a pretty good deal for him."

"It’s going to be a little different with Harvey Weinstein because he was the company, and that company’s in a lot of trouble; a payout would worsen their situation," Estreicher says. "To the extent that the company has any assets separate from Harvey Weinstein, if they give him a payout it’ll look bad for them as a company."

The Weinstein Company, he says, "can say, You totally destroyed our value by your behavior—we’re giving you nothing.' I don’t think they can say that about Lauer ... orCharlie Rose."

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Charlie Rose was fired by CBS News and PBS following sexual harrassmnet allegations.

"I don’t usually make predictions like this but I’m pretty confident on this one," Estreicher says. "I’m certain they’re giving [Lauer] a payout, whether it’s now or down the road a bit."